Our Faculty

Alex Mezeritski - Founder, Head of Piano Department Alex Mezeritski is originally from the Ukraine, a country with an enormously rich tradition of music education and piano playing, and known for such luminaries as Horowitz, Richter and Gilels.

Alex has received musical training since childhood and eventually graduated from Kherson Musical Collegewith a Bachelor of Arts degree. He continued his studies at Odessa State Conservatoire where he received a Masters degree in music, majoring in piano performance and pedagogy.

Alex is a prizewinner of several Ukrainian and international piano competitions. He has performed as a soloist and in various ensemble settings throughout Germany, France, Italy, Israel, Russia and other countries around the world. Since 1990 he has been a professor of piano performance at Kherson Musical College. His original piano compositions and numerous arrangements have been performed on both sides of Atlantic. He has also led numerous Master Classes in piano in Austria and Greece. He also actively performs both as pianist and organist. ​

Julia Sky - Piano Instructor

Julia came from Kiev, the capital of the Ukraine. She started the study of music and piano at the age of five. She graduated from Glier Music College with a Bachelor of Arts and Ukraine National Music Academy with a Masters of Art. When she was a piano professor in Kiev Central School of Art, she taught piano and history of piano music. Julia was highly recognized as a prominent accompanist who helped many students at Kiev School of Art to achieve their goals and awards. As a piano teacher, she is a very creative and enthusiastic instructor who can instill a true love for music and create a wonderful atmosphere. The result for students of all ages and abilities is tremendous.

Gasan Guseyn-Zade - Violin Instructor

Gasan is an accomplished artist with a strong background in music from Eastern Europe. He earned a Masters degree in Violin and Violin Performance from Azerbaijanian State Conservatory, receiving recognition as Artist of Symphony Orchestra, Soloist of Chamber Ensemble, and teaching. While in Europe, Gasan performed with the Azerbaijanian State Symphony for fifteen years and taught at Azerbaijanian State Conservatory. Gasan Guseyn-Zade is known as one of the most versatile violinists in the Twin Cities since his arrival to Minnesota in 1992. He was the concertmaster of Dakota Valley Civic and Chamber Orchestras in 1992 and 1998 and currently serves as concertmaster of String Werks, South of the River program. Gasan’s solo appearances around the Twin Cities area, Alexandria as well as Mondovi,WI and Malibu, CA were received with standing ovations. Gasan has also released three CDs recorded at Minnesota Public Radio. Numerous students of Gasan have received degrees in violin performance through several prestigious colleges and universities.

Trevor Wiest - classical guitar, electric guitar,​ bass guitar

Trevor has a Bachelors Degree in Guitar Performance from the McNally Smith College of Music, and has worked with dozens of bands in the metro area and around the country. This includes performing with the Minnesota Orchestra for the well-known Hosanna Christmas Concerts, with a 500-voice choir, professional dancers, aerialists, a children's choir, and popular soloists since 2011. In 2016, Hosanna recorded a Christmas album on which Trevor is featured on at Abbey Road Studios in London with the London Symphony Orchestra . Trevor has toured Guatemala for the IGA international Jazz festival, where a variety of knowledgeable Jazz and Fusion groups from around the globe get together to perform. His experience in styles of music range from Jazz to R&B, from Classical to Country and Rock. He also has experience with world music, as well. His classical guitar and finger-style playing method has been extremely successful in promoting many students' knowledge in guitar, and Trevor's friendly and upbeat demeanor is sure to keep children cooperative and eager to learn.

Jenni Mezeritski - Vocal and Piano Instructor

Jenni Mezeritski has been singing and playing piano all her life, and is also a participant and winner of the MN State Fair Amateur Talent Contest where she sang at the Grand Stand in front of over 17,000 people and obtained 2nd place. She has also performed at weddings, parties, and facilities where she sings and plays piano. She teaches piano and voice, which is one of her other passions and makes sure that students reach their full potential in their piano and vocal skills by teaching scales, exercises, and compositions which the students enjoy learning.

Alan Serrano - Guitar Instructor

Alan Serrano is a musician, guitarist, and educator. Dedicated to the art of guitar, he spends time crafting his skills on classical guitar and electric guitar. He is committed to helping music students grow into successful musicians through quality instruction and encouragement. In the spring of 2017, he is expected to earn his Bachelor’s of Music in Guitar from McNally Smith College of Music.